Stephen Ferrara, DNP, FNP, FAANP, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at Columbia School of Nursing and Executive Director of The NPA, stated in a press release, “Nurse Practitioners focus not only on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, but also on integrating evidence based practice, health promotion, disease prevention, and patient education to help patients understand their complete health picture. We thank SUNY Albany’s School of Public Health for their study highlighting the professional credentials and expanding role of NPs as vital providers of health care to people throughout New York State.”

More than 90% of active NPs report holding a master’s degree or post-master’s certificate as their highest NP degree

The vast majority of NPs report a certification in a primary care specialty; nine percent of NPs report a certification in psychiatry

Just over half of NPs work in health centers, clinics, and hospital outpatient departments, while another 18% work in physician offices

More NPs per 100,000 population work in urban areas than in rural areas of the state

NPs in rural areas are more likely to provide primary care or psychiatric services than their urban counterparts

Forty-three percent of NPs in the state work in federally designated primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs)

Nearly 70% of NPs in rural areas work in primary care HPSAs, compared with 39% of NPs in urban areas

According to NPA, there are approximately 234,000 nurse practitioners in the United States, with an additional 23,000 NP students graduating each year. National Nurse Practitioner Week is intended to emphasize the importance of removing outdated barriers to practice so that NPs will be allowed to practice to to the full extent of their experience and education.

To learn more about National Nurse Practitioner Week and Nurse Practitioner Association New York State, visit here.